Rotatable Basket Extractor Suction Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary extractor systems face a capacity reduction due to prolonged miscella drainage times, which limits the number of baskets available for extraction and results in residual miscella in the spent material.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable basket extractor design incorporating a suction device that generates a downward flow of vapor through the feed material bed, reducing drainage time by creating a pressure differential and accelerating miscella drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional gravity drainage is used in rotary extractor, then the structure is simple and easy to operate, but the drainage time is prolonged which reduces extraction capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by introducing a suction device that creates negative pressure to actively draw miscella and vapor from the feed material. This pneumatic assistance replaces passive gravity drainage, significantly reducing drainage time and increasing extraction capacity without adding complex mechanical moving parts to the rotating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by creating a pressure differential between the interior of the rotating baskets and the suction device environment. This pressure change drives faster miscella removal, transforming the drainage process from gravity-dependent to pressure-driven, thereby reducing drainage time while maintaining system simplicity.
2Reliability
If longer drainage time is allowed, then more complete miscella removal is achieved, but fewer baskets are available for extraction operations
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device creates negative pressure that actively pulls miscella from the feed material, achieving complete removal in a shorter time. This allows baskets to complete the drainage cycle faster and return to extraction service more quickly, increasing the number of baskets effectively available for extraction while ensuring thorough miscella removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction device initiates and accelerates the drainage action during the basket's rotation, ensuring miscella removal is completed before the basket needs to be重新filled for extraction. This preliminary completion of drainage ensures no residual miscella remains while minimizing the time baskets are non-productive.
3Productivity
If suction device is added to reduce drainage time, then extraction capacity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is positioned externally to the rotating basket assembly, connected via a stationary screen and conduit system. This configuration adds minimal complexity to the rotating components while achieving the desired drainage acceleration through pneumatic action from the stationary suction source.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary screen acts as an intermediary between the rotating baskets and the suction device. It allows vapor and miscella to pass from the moving baskets to the stationary suction system, enabling the complexity reduction by decoupling the suction function from the rotating mechanism while maintaining effective drainage.
4Reliability
If vapor flow is pulled through feed material, then residual miscella decreases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device pulls vapor phase miscella through the feed material bed, utilizing phase transition principles. The vapor is drawn through the material and condensed or collected downstream, achieving low residual miscella content while the energy required is minimized by leveraging the natural vapor pressure and temperature differential in the extraction system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces drainage time by 30-50% and decreases residual miscella in the extracted material, enhancing extraction capacity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A suction device is provided which pulls vapor down through the bed of feed material contained within at least one of the plurality of baskets. This generates a downward flow of vapor through the bed of feed material
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of sprayers are provided within the housing above the plurality of baskets, the plurality of sprayers being operatively connected to at least one of the troughs
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable basket extractor for use in extracting oil from oleaginous feed material is disclosed. The extractor includes a rotatable rotor that includes a plurality of baskets extending radially outward from a central shaft, and the baskets receive and transport the oleaginous feed material while a motor rotates the baskets between a feed inlet and a feed outlet. The rotor is located within a housing and positioned above a screen through which miscella that drains from the feed material passes. The miscella is collected in a trough located below the screen and is sprayed onto the feed material bed positioned within the baskets in a counter-current manner. A suction device pulls vapor down between the particles of the feed material bed to decrease the drainage time of the miscella through the feed material.